Abstract: A system and method of predicting motor failure based on relationships of motor pair characteristics, such as temperatures. One method includes receiving, by a controller, a parameter of a first motor on a mining machine from a first parameter sensor on a mining machine. The method also includes receiving, by the controller, a parameter of a second motor on the mining machine from a second parameter sensor on the mining machine. The method also includes outputting an alarm signal, by the controller, upon (1) determining that at least one of the parameters of the first motor and the second motor exceeds a parameter threshold and (2) determining that the parameter of the first motor differed from the parameter of the second motor by at least a difference threshold for a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: A conveyor for a mining system. The conveyor includes a sprocket, a chain, a drive mechanism, a hydraulic cylinder, and a controller. The chain is associated with the sprocket and has a top chain portion and a bottom chain portion. The drive mechanism is coupled to the sprocket and is operable to drive the sprocket. The controller includes a processing unit and a memory. The controller is configured to receive a first signal related to a characteristic of the drive mechanism, receive a second signal related to a reaction force of the sprocket, calculate a tension of the top chain portion based on the first signal and the second signal, and generate a control signal for controlling a position of the hydraulic cylinder based on the determined tension of the top chain portion.

Abstract: A conveyor includes an endless belt, a boot end supporting a portion of the endless belt, a support structure, and a bridge. The endless belt includes a first run and a second run, and the first run extends along a conveyor axis. The support structure includes an end spaced apart from the boot end, a plurality of frames, and a plurality of idler rolls. The frames are spaced apart from one another and aligned with one another in a direction parallel to the conveyor axis. The idler rolls support another portion of the endless belt. The bridge extends between the boot end and the end of the support structure. The bridge is movable in a direction parallel to the conveyor axis relative to at least one of the boot end and the support structure.

Abstract: A cutting bit assembly includes a block, a bit sleeve, and a seal. The block includes a first bore and a fluid passage. The fluid passage includes a first portion and a second portion in fluid communication with the first portion. The first portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the first bore, and the second portion extends at least partially around the perimeter of the first bore. The bit sleeve includes a shank, a flange, and a second bore extending through the shank and the flange. The shank is positioned within the first bore of the block such that a surface of the flange engages a first end surface of the block. The seal is positioned between the second portion of the fluid passage and the shank to prevent contact between a fluid in the fluid passage and the outer surface of the shank.

Abstract: A breaker pick retainer system for a breaker includes a holder that defines a pick aperture and a pin aperture, and a breaker pick received in the pick aperture of the holder and including a pin receiving feature aligned with the pin aperture. The breaker pick retainer system including a pin received within the pin aperture of the holder and seated in the pin receiving feature of the breaker pick for maintaining the breaker pick within the holder. The breaker pick retainer system further including a resilient plug received within the pin aperture for sealing the pin aperture. The plug inhibits removal of the pin from the pin aperture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a conveyor in a mining system. The conveyor includes a chain, a first sprocket, a second sprocket, a drive mechanism, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The method includes receiving a first signal associated with a characteristic of at least one of a first sprocket or a second sprocket, determining a value for the characteristic of the at least one of the first sprocket or the second sprocket based on the first signal, receiving a second signal associated with a characteristic of a chain, and determining a value for the characteristic of the chain based on the second signal. The method further includes comparing the value for the characteristic of the at least one of the first sprocket or the second sprocket and the value for the characteristic of the chain and determining the amount of slack in the chain based on the comparison.

Abstract: A monitoring device and method for monitoring a longwall mining system having a plurality of roof supports, each roof support including a pressure sensor to determine pressure levels of the roof support during a monitoring cycle. Pressure data is obtained for the plurality of roof supports. The pressure data includes pressure information for each roof support of the plurality of roof supports over a monitoring cycle. The pressure data is analyzed to determine, for each roof support, whether a first type pressure failure occurred during the monitoring cycle. A fault quantity is generated that represents the number of roof supports determined to have had the first type of pressure failure occur during the monitoring cycle. An alert is generated upon determining that the fault quantity exceeds an alert threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a person located around a piece of equipment. One system includes processor configured to define a first virtual zone around a piece of equipment, determine a location of a person, and define a second virtual zone around the person at the location. As the location of the person changes, the processor is further configured to determine a direction of travel of the person, and automatically modify the second virtual zone to extend a first distance in the direction of travel of the person and extend in a second distance opposite the direction, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance. In response to at least a portion of the second virtual zone overlapping with at least a portion of the first virtual zone, the processor is configured to perform at least one action.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a longwall shearing mining machine in a longwall mining system, wherein the shearing mining machine includes a shearer having a first cutter drum and a second cutter drum, includes receiving, by a processor, shearer position data over a shear cycle. The horizon profile data includes information regarding at least one of the group comprising of a position and angle of the shearer, a position of the first cutter drum, and a position of the second cutter drum. The method also includes analyzing the shearer position data, by the processor, to determine whether a position failure occurred during the shear cycle based on whether the computed horizon profile data was within normal operational parameters during the shear cycle, and generating an alert upon determining that the position failure occurred during the shear cycle.

Abstract: A pick system includes a holder and a pick assembly. The holder includes a first end, a second end, and a bore extending between the first end and the second end and defining a longitudinal axis. The surface of the bore may be tapered so that the diameter of the bore proximate the first end is greater than the diameter of the bore proximate the second end. The pick assembly includes a shaft. The shaft is received within the bore of the holder along the longitudinal axis, and the shaft may be tapered to mate with the bore.

Abstract: A winch drum tension isolation system includes a winch drum including an outwardly extending flange, the flange including a plurality of holes spaced along the flange. The winch drum tension isolation system also includes a locking mechanism positioned proximate the winch drum and including a locking member engageable with the flange. The locking member is movable between a first position, in which the locking member is received in one of the plurality of holes to prevent rotation of the winch drum, and a second position, in which the locking member is spaced apart from the flange to permit rotation of the winch drum.

Abstract: A longwall mining system includes at least one face end roof support having a longitudinal length, and at least one near end roof support adjacent the face end roof support. The near end roof support has a longitudinal length substantially shorter than the face end roof support longitudinal length. There is also at least one face roof support adjacent the near end roof support, and the face roof support has a longitudinal length substantially shorter than the near end roof support longitudinal length. There is also a forward conveyor extending forward to and attached to the face end roof support, the at least one near end roof support, and the at least one face roof support, and a rearward conveyor extending rearward of and attached to the face end roof support, the at least one near end roof support, and the at least one face roof support.

Abstract: A mining machine including a frame, a cutting head moveably coupled to the frame and pivotable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to a first mine surface, and a first actuator for stabilizing the frame relative to the first mine surface. The first actuator is coupled to the frame and includes a first end extendable in a first direction to engage the first mine surface. The extension of the first actuator is automatically controlled based on measurements of at least one indicator of the force between the first actuator and the first mine surface.

Abstract: A mobile sizer for an underground mining system includes drive treads, a sizer portion mounted on the drive treads, and a load bucket pivotably coupled to the sizer portion. The load bucket is sumped to remove material from the mine and pivotably swung to transfer removed material to the sizer portion.

Abstract: A crawler track includes a link and is driven in a direction of travel by a sprocket having a plurality of teeth. The link includes a pad, a first grouser, and a second grouser. The pad defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first end, and a second end spaced apart from the first end along the direction of travel. The pad defines at least one opening extending through the pad between the first surface and the second surface, and the opening is operable to receive a sprocket tooth. The first grouser is positioned on the first surface proximate the first end of the pad, while the second grouser is positioned on the first surface proximate the second end of the pad. The first grouser and the second grouser extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the track.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling mining machines. One system includes an image sensor for capturing an image of a cutting face of a mine and interface sensing and control system for obtaining the image, identifying an anomaly in the image, calculating a distance between the anomaly and a reference, and using the distance to automatically instruct a mining machine control system to keep a cutter head of the mining machine within a seam.

Abstract: A battery-powered mining machine comprising a battery tray and a plurality of batteries. The battery tray including at least one battery partition, the battery partition made entirely of plastic. The plurality of batteries in the battery tray to provide power to the mining machine, the plurality of batteries held in place by the battery partition.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a first end including a drive unit, an anchor structure, a continuous belt extending at least partially between the drive unit and the anchor structure, a first carriage, and a second carriage. The first carriage is coupled to the drive unit and supports a portion of the belt. The first carriage is supported for movement relative to the drive unit to adjust a tension in the belt, and the first carriage is movable between the drive unit and an intermediate position. The second carriage is releasably secured to the anchor structure and supports another portion of the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the anchor structure between a first position and a second position. A distance between the first end and the second carriage defining a take-up length, and movement of the second carriage changes the take-up length.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that connects to an power structure for powering and guiding the vehicle. The power structure includes a trolley, a track along which the trolley runs, a power source connected to the track, and a cable connected to the trolley and configured to attach to the vehicle moving on a surface. The vehicle includes a chassis and a cable connected to the chassis and configured to mechanically and electrically connect the vehicle to the power structure. The chassis includes a connector rotatable 360 degrees, and the cable connects to the chassis through the connector.

Abstract: A pin retaining assembly for an advancing ram includes a retention plate and a retainer. The retention plate includes two oppositely facing surfaces and a channel with a notch between the two surfaces. The retainer includes a main body, a pin receiving slot, and at least two flanges. The main body is configured to slide into the notch of the channel and extend through a surface of the retention plate. The pin receiving slot has an open mouth through an end of the main body. A first flange extends from one end of the main body along a surface of retention plate and a second flange extends from another end of the main body along another surface of retention plate. The flanges retain the main body of the retainer in the first notch from moving in a direction defined by a longitudinal axis of the pin receiving slot.